Automatic coupling



J. F. JONES.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION Hm) JAN. 14. ms.

Patented Dec. 9,1919. -4-su4 Anew g 13 I klF-I I] J. F. JONES.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

7 APPLICATION FILED JAN.14| 1918. H 1,324,741 Patented Dec. 9,1919.

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lllllllllllllllIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIlII/l/ III/IIIIIIIIIIIL 'l/IIIIIIIIIIII1 IIIIIII/IIIIII 31E CIR EESEE J. F. JONES.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 14. 1918.

1,324,741, Patented Dec. 9,1919.

NIT D STATES PATENT onnion.

JOHN F. JONES, OF KEUTERVILLE, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX COUPLERCOMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF MONTANA. i v

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

Application filed. January 14, 1918. Serial No. 211,779.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. J ONES, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the village of Keuterville, in the county of Idaho andState of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference markedthereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention has reference more particularly to couplers such as areused in connection with railway cars for connecting air and steam pipesor making other similar coimections between adjoining cars.

The object of my invention is to provide coupling means of thischaracter, which when forced together will automatically interengage inthe proper position to provide communication between or operativeconnection between parts of the two cars.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereinpressure is constantly applied to retain the parts in the interlockedcondition.

Another object of the invention is to provide suitable supporting meanswhich will permit the coupler to adapt itself to changes in the relativepositions of the two adjoining cars such as rounding curves, swinging ofthe car from side to side, differences in the height due toirregularities of the rails, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide coupling means whereby thehose may be placed under the car so as not to be exposed to the dangerof damage as it is when between the cars.

Another object of the invention isto provide a plurality of springswhich apply pressure at a number of points so as to hold the couplingparts in close engagement whereby breakage or separation of the parts isordinarily prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide inconnection withcoupling means for fluid ducts, parts for making electrical connectionswhich are automatically engaged when the coupling is in service.

' The invention also has other important objects which will be apparentfrom the disclosure in the specification and drawings.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a complete coupler shown in Fig. 1, detachedfrom the cars.

Fig. 4is a side view of the coupler shown in Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is an inside View of one of the coupler members with the coverplate removed.

. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional View through a complete coupler takenon the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 isa sectional view of a single coupler member on line 7-7 of Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view on line 8.8 of Fig. 5. Y

Fig. 9 is ansenlarged sectional view on line Fig. 10 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view on line 1010 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view on line 1111 of Fig.4.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 13l3 of Fig.6, showing the duct connecting means of the coupler.

Fig. 14 is an end view of my coupling device showing portions of the carto which it is attached.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the valve controlling means shown at theright hand of the Fig. 14.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 1, indicates portions of railway cars to which mydevice is attached and may be of anyordinary type for freight orpassenger service. These cars are provided with the usual draft coupling2, which holds the cars together and also spaces the cars to maintainthe necessary amount of separation. of an auxiliary coupling member, oneat each endof each car so that when the cars are connected, acorresponding auxiliary My device consists together and connect thesteam or air ducts and make any other similar connections that aredesired. There is a coupling member or headindicated as a whole at 3, oneach car, having an inner engaging diamond shaped face 4, provided witha plurality of 0 aenings at the forward end thereof, which are suitablyarranged so that when two members are placed in the normal interlockedposition, openings in the face 4, of one of said members will registerwith corresponding openings in the face 4:, of the other of saidmembers. In the present in stance, provision is made for connecting airand steam ducts, and also for an electrical connection, and the member3, is cored longitudinally to provide three separate passagewayscon'imunicating with the openings in the face of the member, whichpassageways may be used for any desired purpose, but for the sake ofillustration, we will assume that the passageway 5, is for compressedair for operating the air brake, the passageway 6, for steam for heatingor other purposes, and the passageway 7, for compressed air forsignaling purposes. Each of said passageways is provided at the forwardend thereof with a pair of openings 8 and 9, the advanced one of which,indicated at 9, is formed in a circular depression or socket in the facea, of the member 3, which is adapted to contain a packing ring or gasket10,

therein, and the other openings 8, are formed in bosess 11, which areraised on the face a, of the member 3, and adapted, when a pair ofmembers 3, are forced together, to engage in the recess around theopening 9, against the packing ring or washer 10, to make a tightconnection between the matching openings in the adjoining couplingmembers 3. It will be noticed that by providing each passageway with apair of openings 8 and 9, and providing a depression around each of theforward openings 9, and a boss around each of the rear openings 8, anytwo members will match when placed on the cars so that the faces 4,thereof, interengage, which construction makes it possible to use auniform coupling member 3, for both parts of the coupling. The couplingmembers 3, are adapted to be mounted on the cars substantially midway oftho w'id-thofthe car, and with the face 4, thereof facing laterally andsubstantially in a vertical plane passing longitudinally through thecenter of the car, so that when the ends of two cars are broughttogether the faces 1 are in the correct position to having sliding intrengagement.

- For supporting the member 3, there are a pair of wings 12, adjacentthe rear and extending laterally one on each side thereof, to whichwings 12, are secured brackets or yokes 13, having the upturnedflange1%, at the forward end, secured-to thewing; mein bers 12, and having acorrespondingly upturned flange 15, at the opposite end thereof. Theupturned flange 14, and wing members 12, are provided with verticalslots 16, and the rear upturned flange 15, with the transverse slot 17and there is a sup porting rod 18, passed through said slots 16 and 17.The forward ends of the rods 18, are inserted in the lower end ofhangers or links 19, which are retained thereon by means of a nut 20,and the upper end of the links 19, are pivoted at 21, to lugs 22,depending from the drawbar bracket 23, so that the links 19, and thestructure supported thereby, may swing laterally of the car. The rearends of the rods 18, are looped as at 24, to provide eyes whichpi'votally engage the lower end of hangers or links 25, the upper endsof which are pivoted to brackets 26, secured to the sills of the car,which said links 25, enable the structure supported thereby to be swunglaterally of the car. This gives to the coupling member 3, aconsiderable amplitude of i'uovement to adapt itself to changes in therelative positions of the two cars, and this is further effected by thevertical slots 16, and the horizontal slots 17 which engage the bars 18,and support the structure.

It is desirable that the members 3, be held together at a tension, andin order to provide longitudinal pressure on members 3, to hold themsecurely together as the cars to which they are attached move more orless apart, owing to the play in the coupling 2, there are coil springs27, which are compressed on the rods 18, intermediate the upturned end14, of the yoke 13, and a collar 28, fixed to the rods 18, by means of apin 29, or otherwise, so as to exert a tension to move the yoke 14-, andthe coupling member 3, connected therewith, forwardly from the end ofthe car, the amount of projection being limited by contact of the winmembers 12, with the links 19, and the relation of the parts is suchthat when the couplings 3, of adjoining cars are interengaged, the

springs 27, are contracted from the normal" position somewhat as shownin Figs. 3 and at, so that the members 3, are capable of projection orretraction, as made necessary by the movement of the cars.

The passageways 5, 6 and 7, are provided at the rear end of the member3, with tubular extensions 30, 31 and 32, respectively, which arethreaded for pipe connection, the outer tubular extensions 30 and 31,being preferably diverged to provide necessary spacing for pipeconnection, and there are provided pipe extensions 33, 3 1 and 35, eachof which has a valve interposed therein, which are indicated.respectively at 36, 37 and 33, the stems 39, 4O and41, of which, areextended to the side of the car to facilitate operation of the valves. I

fore the valves can be turned. This construction is provided to preventmeddling with the valves or operation thereof by persons unfamiliar withtheir manner of operation. These valve operating members may be in theform of cranks, as shown at 43 and 45, or hand wheels as shown at 44.

Main pipes to which the pipes 33, 34 and 35, are connected, are usuallyextended from end to end of the car to provide continuous connectionsfrom car to car, and these main pipes are connected intermediate oftheir ends with the mechanisms supplied thereby. As the members 3, andparts connected therewith, are movable, it is necessary to provideflexible connections from the pipes 33, 34 and 35, to their respectivemain pipes running lengthwise of the car. For this purpose, there arepieces of flexible hose, indicated at 49, 50 and 51, which are securedat one end to the pipes 33, 34 and 35, and at their other ends to themain pipes with which they communicate. It will be observed that withthe construction which I have provided, the flexible hose is placedunder the body of the car instead of intermediate of the car and istherefore exposed to less danger of injury.

Referring now to the particular construction of the members 3, it willbe noted that the diamond shaped face portion 4, has a flange 52, at therear and sides thereof, the forward portions 53, of which, are expandedas shown, to direct the tapered end 54, of the matching member 3,therebetween, and the forward end of the member 3, is beveled or slopedlaterally to form a nose somewhat as shown at 55, in Fig. 6, tofacilitate proper engagement of the member 3.

It is necessary that when the members 3, are in position so that theopenings 8 and 9, match with the corresponding openings on the othermember 3, that they shall be held firmly together so that the bosses 11,bear against the gasket 10, to avoid any leakage at the juncture. Forthis purpose, the flange 52, is extended upwardly from the face 4, ofthe member 3, so that the cover plate '56, will overlie the end of thecompanion member 3, when inserted in position, and a pair of springs 57,are provided on the inner face of each cover platev 56, which engageagainst the surface of the member 3, and hold the said member 3,securely against the other member 3, with which it is connected. It willbe observed that the springs 57, of both members 3, coiiperate to holdthe members 3, in engagement, and it will also benoted that the springsare so positioned that those on one of the members 3, engage near theend of the other member 3, at points adjacent the end openings 9, of theinserted members, and in this manner the pressure is distributed so thatpressure is applied substantially at each set of openings 8 or 9, andliabilty of leakage thereby reduced.

The cover plate 56, overlies the entire surface 4, of the member 3, towhich it is attached, so as to serve as a protection for the connectingparts on the face 4, and the outer end of the member 56, is curvedoutwardly as at 58, to direct the engaging end of the companion member3, to the proper position between the face 4, and cover plate 56, and arib 59, on the curved portion 58, serves to stiffen this directingportion and prevent breakage due to impact of the companion member 3,therewith. The plate 56, is made removable, so that access may be had tothe connecting parts on the face 4, and has lugs 60, projecting from thesides thereof, which engage in slotted lugs or hooks 61, at the upperedge of the flange 52, to hold the plate 56, securely against the up peredge of the flange 52, and the plate is held from disengagement with theslotted lugs 61, by means ofa cap screw 62, threaded into the rib 63,projecting from the surface 4, of the member 3, intermediate the sideportions of the flange 52, as shown in Fig. 5.

The projection of one member 3, forward, into the other member 3, islimited by engagement of the tapered end 54, with the flared portions53, of the flanges 52, and in order to provide length for engagement andalso for the purpose of strengthening the flanges, the flanges 52, arespaced closer together adjacent the surface 4, as at 63 in V Fig. 8, soas to provide an outturned portion or ledge 64, which acts as areinforcing rib. This ledge also serves to limit the expansion of thesprings 57, so that they will not extend sufiiciently to interfere withthe insertion of the companion member 3.

For the purpose of providing electrical connection from one car toanother, the face 4, of the member 3, is provided intermediate of theopenings 8 and 9, with a recess 65,

lined with an insulating'material 66, and a spring contact member 67 isseated in the insulated recess 65, the said spring being bellied, asshown in Fig. 6, so that when two members 3, are brought together, thecontact springs 67, will engage one another with sufiicient pressure toinsure a good contact. A conductor 68, is embedded in insulatingmaterial 69, in a groove 70, extending from the groove 65, to the boss71, on the outer face of the flange 53, the inner end of said conductorbeing connected with the spring 67, and the outer end thereof isconnected with an insulated conductor 72, which is secured to the boss71. The other end of the conductor 72, may be led to the required pointin the car to which current is to be supplied.

The operation is as follows:

When the ends of the cars are brought together so that the coupling 2,will connect the cars, the ends of the members 3, enter the flared outerend of the coupling member of the other car and are directed by thecurved surface 58, of a cover plate 56, and the flanges 53, to theposition in which the openings 8 and 9, of the two members 3, register.This position is reached before the cars are entirely coupled, andfurther relative movement of the members 3, is prevented by engagementof the tapered ends 54:, with the flanges 53. Further approximation ofthe cars causes a compression of the springs 57, and gives to themembers 3, sufficient pressure to hold them securely interlocked. Eachmember 3, as it is inserted in the opening therefor in the companionmember, contracts or flattens the springs 57, in the opposite member,and the tension of these springs forces the bosses 11, of each of themembers 3, against the gaskets 10, in the socket or matching cavity ofthe other membe 3, and holds them firmly in engagement so as to preventleakage. The valves 36, 37, and 38, may then be operated on the side ofthe car by means of their respective valve controlling members 48, 44-and 45, to adjust the valve as desired, and the coupling, when soengaged, provides communication through the openings 8 and 9, from onecar to another. The contact members 67, are also then in engagement andclose the circuit between the adjoining cars so that current can besupplied from one car to the other.

As the car is set in operation, any changes in the separation of thecars due to play in the coupling -2, is automatically met by the sprin s27, so as to prevent separation of the members 3, and said springslikewise serve to provide sufficient flexibility so that the members 3,will be held together when the cars are rounding a curve. Othermovements of the cars, are provided for by the pivotal mounting of thestructure by means of the links 21 and 25, and also by the slottedopenings 16 and 17, through which the rods 18, are passed.

The separation of the coupling member 3,

is accomplished without manual attention,

by merely pulling the members apart. When the coupling 2, is unfastened,and the cars are separated the members 3, are disconnected-by suchseparation.

I am aware that numerous details maybe varied through a wide rangewithout departing from the principles of this invention, and I thereforedo not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitatedby the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of drawbars, apair of coupling members having passageways and matching openingstherefrom, means for supporting said coupling members so as to be movedindependently of the drawbars, cover plates removably secured on saidcoupling mem-' bers, and springs removably secured to 'the innersurfaces of said cover plates for holding the members in engagement sothat the matching openings thereof provide com- .munication between thepassageways of the two coupling members.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a pair ofcoupling members having passageways and matching openings therefrom,mechanisms for suspending the said coupling members so as to be capableof longitudinal, lateral, and vertical movement, cover plates on saidcoupling members, lugs projecting from the sides thereof, interengagingmeans On said coupling members for providing a lateral tension'forholding the coupling members in engagement with the matching openings inalincment, to afford communicationbetween the passageways of saidcoupling members, springs on said cover plates for applying alongitudinal tension on said coupling members to prevent separation ofthe same, and hooked members on said coupling members adapted to engagesaid lugs to hold the cover plates in position.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with a pair ofcoupling members each having passageways therein and a passaged socketadapted to receive a passaged projection of the other coupling member,'a cover plate removably secured oneac-h of said coupling members, and aspring secured on the inner surface of each cover plate adapted toengage the other coupling member for holding the interengaging parts ofthe coupling members together to provide proper communication betweenthe passageways of the coupling members.

t. The combination with a pair of adjoining car frames, of a couplingmember mounted on each car frame and adapted to engage the couplingmember on the other car frame, the said coupling members be ing providedwith fluid passageways and interengaging means adapted to providecommunication from the passageway of one coupling member to thepassageway of the other coupling member, duct members un} der the car.frame communicating with the passageways; ofv the coupling members,-

valves in said duct members, and normally disengaged clutch members atthe side of the car frame for operating the valves.

5. In a train line-pipe coupling, two heads which have inner faces thatare substantially diamond shaped in plan, the inner angular edges ofsaid heads having outwardly extending flanges, and the outer edges ofthe said heads being inclined, the inner faces of each of the headshaving an annular boss and an annular pocket, a compressible gasket ineach of the pockets, and each pocket and boss having a portcommunicating with the bore of the heads, and a fiatrarched springsecured to each of the heads and disposed between the flanges of therespective heads and designed to contact with the outer inclined edgesof the said heads and to force the bosses thereof into the pockets ofthe said heads.

6. In a train line-coupling, hangers, a bracket loosely arranged on eachof the hangers, metallic train line-pipes having valves therein, twocoupler heads connected with said train line-pipes, each head providedwith supporting members attached to the respective brackets, meanssecured on the hangers, a spring upon each of the hangers between theouter face of the respective brackets and said means for holding theheads together, said heads each having an inner straight face which issubstantially diamond shaped in plan, outwardly extending flanges onsaid heads, an annular boss and an annular pocket on each of thestraight faces of said heads and having ports communicating with thebores of said heads, a compressible gasket in each of the pockets, aflat spring removably secured to each of the heads, and having a roundedportion disposed between the flanges of said heads and designed, whenthe heads are brought together to force the bosses into said pockets andagainst the gasket-s therein.

7. In a train line-pipe coupling, train pipes, coupling heads providedwith pipe members adapted to be connected with said train pipes,hangers, brackets adjustably heads attached to said brackets, a springon each of the hangers exerting a stress to a hold said heads extended,said coupling heads having inner straight faces and rounded ends,flanges on the-edges of the inner angular portions of the heads, a flatspring removably secured to each of the heads and having a roundedportion arranged between the referred to flanges, annular bosses havingrounded peripheries on each of the straight faces of the respectiveheads, each of said straight faces having annular pockets disposedoutward of the referred to bosses, a compressible gasket in each of thepockets, said bosses and pockets having ports communicating with thebore of the heads and with the pipes therefor, and said last mentionedsprings designed to contact with the outer faces of the respective headsto force the bosses thereof into the pockets of said respective heads,when the heads are brought together.

8. In a device for the purpose set forth, two coupling heads, eachhaving an inner straight face and a rounded closed end, directingflanges on each of said straight faces, an annular boss on each of thestraight faces, each of said straight faces having an annular pocketdisposed outward ofthe boss, a compressible element in each of thepockets, and said bosses and pockets having ports communicating with thebores of the heads, spring means arranged on the straight face of eachof the heads designed to coengage with the outer face of the opposinghead for forcing the bosses of the heads into the pockets thereof, andcontact means on each of said heads adapted to engage one another whenthe heads are brought together.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscriblng wltnesses.

JOHN F. JONES.

W. W. FLINT.

